Arab Human Development Reports (AHDRs) engage institutions and citizens in the Arab countries in global concerns so as to build understanding and consensus around regional and national development priorities.

"Sexual violence in conflict needs to be treated as the war crime that it is; it can no longer be treated as an unfortunate collateral damage of war." — UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura

Mainstream approaches to conflict and reconstruction fail to recognise how armed conflict exacerbates gender inequality. This pack explores the impact of armed conflict on gender relations, analysing the distinct ways in which women and men are affected.

This report discusses women’s political participation in Iraq, including their role in building sustainable peace in the country and drafting the new constitution. It also include biographies of some Iraqi women leaders and list of publications related to the new role of women in Iraq.

Victoria Fontan is a Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica and author of “Decolonizing Peace” (2012) and “Voices from Post-Saddam Iraq” (2008). She is now undertaking her third PhD in the Department of War Studies, King’s College London.

This issue of "Conflict Trends, on Women, Peace and Security" contains several articles that seek to stimulate debate regarding the positive contributions that women make on peace and security issues in Africa.

This study focuses on the activity of revising constitutions which reflects a changed perception of their importance and purposes. Changes start with constitution-making, whether as a form of negotiation or the consolidation of social victory or reform.

This paper discusses the participation of women in post-conflict societies and examines the problems they face in their efforts to participate in elections. It also describes the legislative measures that have been taken in several countries to enhance the participation of women.

This report outlines key areas for mainstreaming gender in conflict or potential conflict situations. It argues that attention must be given to early-warning protection and assistance, the role of women in peace processes, and the full participation of women in post-crisis reconstruction.

Women’s human rights discourse and movements have become entangled within a culture-versus-rights dualism. Yakin Ertürk argues that this is a false dualism which serves both private patriarchy and public patriarchy of neo-liberal globalisation

This opinion piece describes UN Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the role of women in conflict zones. It also discusses challenges faced by women running for elections in post-conflict countries.

In these series of articles policy makers, practitioners, and academics discuss long-running conflicts around the world and highlight women's experiences and potential to contribute both to war and peace.

"Conflict affects women and men differently. In post-conflict contexts, numerous political, socio-economic, ideological and psychological obstacles prevent women from participating fully in political life and in electoral processes."

In the lead up to this year’s ten year anniversary in October of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) there has been a global push to increase the number of National Action Plans on implementation.